What do I see when I look at Jesus? Can I see Jesus working in everyday life, and in my life? All three stories in these verses are asking that same question.
Some of the Pharisees were clearly enemies of Jesus – when they saw Him do miracles, they only saw the work of Satan. This may seem extraordinary, but I have even seen this happen in church – people do not like a pastor, and even when he or she does something incredible, their “enemies” put it down, or claim there must be some manipulative motivation behind the good deed. Jesus says that the blindness of the Pharisees – calling the work of the Holy Spirit an act of Satan – is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and is not forgivable. God can forgive any sin – except the ones we don’t even want to be forgiven for. This hardness of heart runs away from grace, and turns your soul cold.
Some of the Pharisees are at least curious about Jesus, and they ask Him for a sign. Of course we ask, “Haven’t you seen enough signs?!” Jesus has been healing and casting out demons – why aren’t those enough? That is how many people are – God is working in their lives, but they want Him to perform “on demand”. When the Lord doesn’t answer a specific prayer – all the other things they have seen count for nothing. Jesus says it is a perverse (twisted) or adulterous (a heart for God and other things) thing to want a sign. Just want God – see Him, and see His love working in your life – and follow Him.
Even Jesus’ own family didn’t totally understand Who He was. They loved Him – they were His family – mother and brothers, but that was not enough. To be Jesus’ true family – you have to do the will of the Father, you have to hear the words of Christ, and follow Him. There is a hard lesson here – it is not enough to love Jesus like a brother – so many say “I love the Lord.” That love has to be a following love, an obedient love, a love for the King who is our Friend but still the King. Can I see Him? Is He truly my Master?
Jesus was, and still is, the most polarizing figure in history – because He calls for absolute obedience. Jesus is God, the true King of the world and our lives. I want to see Him, know Him, love Him, follow Him – to suffering, significance, death, joy, life.
http://nlt.scripturetext.com/matthew/12-22.htm
